Tuesday 29 April 2014

Discovering Armenia 9 day circuit - Day 3 (morning cont.) - Monument to the Armenian Alphabet, the Fort Amberd and the Vahramashen Church - The 18th of April 2013


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Being a graphically unique alphabetical writing system, The Armenian alphabet introduced by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD was praised in a Monument we came across along a road on the way to the Amberd fortress.

The importance of the 36 immortal letters was therefore remembered and with it the first ever written sentence "To know wisdom and gain instructions; to discern the words of understanding."

How often do we praise our own language (? ) in spite of not having had the same historical importance this particular one did.











We finally reached the remains of the 7th century Armenian fortress of Amberd located 2,300 metres above sea level on the slopes of Mount Aragats at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers which comprise an area of 1,500 metres.



























Inside the bathhouse pertaining to the ensemble we came across a nest with a small egg, whose species we were not able to identify.





















Built for Prince Vahran Pahlavuni the 11th century Vahramashen Church stands between the fortress ruins and the Arkashian river canyon. It is a cruciform type of structure with some cross designs carved in its façades.

Castille (a 7 year old young lady who happened to be the youngest traveller in our group) and I made our way from the church slowly back to the fortress ruins while she picked some wild flowers along the way she decided to present me with.

Despite the cold and strong humidity in the air the views were breathtaking, especially for someone who has barely seen mountains (which was my case).



























By the time we got back onto the bus my hands were frozen and I could not feel my feet ..., but the visit to the site was really worth it.









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